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The Physionotrace derives its name
from "physiognomy," which is the art of judging
moral character and intelligence from facial features.
However, the "Physionotraces" are invented
by Gilles-Louis Chrétien in 1784. The physionotrace
apparatus, a mechanical wooden instrument with a viewfinder,
worked as a pantograph devise. This invention of Chrétien
enabled the artist to quickly draw a portrait of the
sitter for a reasonable price.
The apparatus reduced all the drawing of the artist
to a smaller size and engraved it in copper. By this
method, this pantograph drawing aid produced small copperplates
(master negative) that could be printed again and again.
Moral:
This device initiated mass production of images.
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